X-Message-Number: 7863 Date: Sun, 16 Mar 1997 07:59:37 -0700 From: David Brandt-Erichsen <> Subject: Oregon update Note: The Oregon State Medical Examiner says autopsies may be required for assisted suicides under Measure 16! Excerpted from the PORTLAND OREGONIAN (March 13/97; Sunrise; page E03) TESTIMONY CLASHES ON SUICIDE MEASURE MARK O'KEEFE - of the Oregonian Staff The Associated Press contributed to this report. Summary: A House panel hears witnesses for and against the law that a federal appeals court says can go into effect ... Rep. Ron Sunseri, R-Gresham, chairman of a judicial subcommittee, also said the Legislature has concerns about key issues left unclear after voters approved the law in 1994. In testimony Tuesday, Dr. Larry Lewman, the state medical examiner, noted another problem with the law. Suicides conducted under the law would fall under the category of suspicious deaths and would require a police investigation and perhaps an autopsy, he said. Hearings continue today, beginning at 3:15 p.m. in Room 357 of the Capitol. A bill is not expected to clear the committee and make it to the entire Legislature for weeks. Last month, a federal appeals court gave the legal go-ahead for the stalled Oregon law, meaning doctors could be assisting suicides as early as April. Opponents still have time to file an appeal. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7863